Vehicle comparison
Kia Telluride vs Volkswagen Atlas
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Kia Telluride wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Kia Telluride costs about $1800 per year, roughly $171 less than the Volkswagen Atlas. Over 5 years, that's about $857 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Kia Telluride | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Type | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 20 | 19 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 26 | 25 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 23 | 21 |
| Tank / Battery | 18.8 gal | 18.6 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.150 | $0.164 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Kia Telluride | Volkswagen Atlas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1200/yr · $100/mo | $1314/yr · $110/mo | $114 (Kia Telluride) |
| 12,000 | $1800/yr · $150/mo | $1971/yr · $164/mo | $171 (Kia Telluride) |
| 15,000 | $2250/yr · $188/mo | $2464/yr · $205/mo | $214 (Kia Telluride) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Kia Telluride
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Kia TellurideBest for road trips
Kia Telluride
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Kia TellurideBest for families
Kia Telluride
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Kia TellurideBest for lowest running cost
Kia Telluride
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Kia TellurideHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Kia Telluride or Volkswagen Atlas?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Kia Telluride costs about $1800 per year vs $1971 for the Volkswagen Atlas — roughly $171 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas?
The Kia Telluride is rated around 23 combined MPG versus 21 MPG for the Volkswagen Atlas. Highway figures are 26 vs 25.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $9000 for the Kia Telluride and $9857 for the Volkswagen Atlas, a difference of roughly $857.
Is the Kia Telluride or Volkswagen Atlas better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Kia Telluride wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Kia Telluride is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.